Visionary Road Maps
Stereolab Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Decisions....
Of a "quiet"
Consciousness it is aiming
To a new state
....we've resigned
Visionary
Through "rejoin" the promised land
Contemporary
...
Instant...
....
Of self-interest
Reveries are...
All-embracing
Rolling along from the...
This is a plan to live for
....
This is a plan to act for




Floating away...
Each morning eat for breakfast

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Stereolab's "Visionary Road Maps" present a reflection on the human condition and the decisions we make in life. The song's opening lines suggest that our consciousness is often quiet, passive, and perhaps aimless as it seeks a new state of being. This desire for change is expressed through the phrase "we've resigned," emphasizing the need to leave behind established routines and ways of thinking to embrace something new. When the song speaks of being visionary, this is not in a literal sense, but rather as a way of approaching the world with new insights and perspectives. Through this vision, we can "rejoin" the promised land, a metaphor for a better, more fulfilling future.


The lyrics also comment on the dangers of self-interest and the need for a more inclusive approach to life and society. Reveries, or daydreams, are described as often being focused on personal gain or satisfaction, but the song encourages a more all-embracing perspective. Rather than pursuing only our own needs, we should be rolling along with others towards a shared goal. This is "a plan to live for" and "a plan to act for." In the end, the lyrics suggest that perhaps the key to living a visionary life is to start each day with a humble appreciation for the simple things, symbolized by the line "Each morning eat for breakfast."


Line by Line Meaning

Decisions....
Choices we make...


Of a "quiet"
Of a calm and still...


Consciousness it is aiming
Our mind is set toward a particular direction...


To a new state
To a different situation or circumstance...


....we've resigned
We have accepted...


Visionary
Imaginative and creative...


Through "rejoin" the promised land
By returning to our original and ideal state...


Contemporary
Modern and current...


...
No meaning given...


Instant...
Immediate and momentary...


....
No meaning given...


Of self-interest
Motivated by personal gain...


Reveries are...
Daydreams and fantasies are...


All-embracing
Including everything and everyone...


Rolling along from the...
Continuing forward from the previous stages...


This is a plan to live for
This is a purpose worth living for...


....
No meaning given...


This is a plan to act for
This is a goal worth working towards...


Floating away...
Drifting off...


Each morning eat for breakfast
No clear meaning, could be interpreted literally or metaphorically...




Contributed by Bailey Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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